Galactic Archaeology with the Subaru Prime Focus Spectrograph

The Subaru Prime Focus Spectrograph (PFS) is the newest machine for astronomical observations of stars.  Perched at the prime focus of the 8-meter Subaru Telescope on Maunakea, Hawai`i, PFS can obtain spectra of about 2,000 stars simultaneously.  After two decades of preparation, the PFS survey began in March 2025, and it will last until 2031.  The survey will include stars in the Milky Way; in the Great Andromeda Galaxy (a.k.a. M31) and its neighbor, the Triangulum Galaxy (a.k.a. M33); and in seven dwarf galaxies near the Milky Way.

Stars "remember" the composition of their host galaxy at the time they were formed.  By comparing the elemental abundances in the oldest stars to the youngest stars, we can make a sort of "movie" of the build-up of elements over time.  This technique is called galactic archaeology, where the stars are the "artifacts," and the galaxies are the ancient "civilizations."  Galactic archaeology can (1) recreate the historical stories of galaxy creation and evolution and (2) teach us about the creation of the elements in stellar explosions that happened billions of years ago.

Now that we have the first spectra from PFS, the Galactic Archaeology group is working intensely on measuring the amounts of elements (C, Mg, Ca, Fe, and more) in stars and applying models of galaxy evolution to those measurements.  Your place in our group can be in any one--or more--of these areas:

  1. measuring chemical abundances from spectra
  2. validating those measurements based on measurements of the same stars from the academic literature
  3. making models of galactic chemical evolution
  4. applying those models to measurements
  5. comparing the results of those models to past results from the literature.

The following qualities will be considered strong advantages in your application:

Name of research group, project, or lab
Notre Dame Galactic Archaeology
Website
https://galacticarchaeology.nd.edu
Why join this research group or lab?

The Notre Dame Galactic Archaeology group has four PhD students, one postdocs, and many undergraduate alumni.  We are a vibrant, collegial group, and we enjoy working with undergraduates, from training to publication of data.

You will learn or refine your skills at scientific programming.  These skills will help you in your future career in academia or industry.

This STRAND project has the potential to become a Physics Honors thesis.  For that reason, Physics majors are especially encouraged to apply.

Representative publication
1912.02186.pdf
Logistics Information:
Project categories
Physics & Astronomy
Student ranks applicable
Sophomore
Junior
Senior
Student qualifications
  • Experience with Python programming will be a strong advantage.
  • The applicant must work well in a group and get along with others.
  • At the same time, independence will be valuable during the times that help is not immediately available from more senior mentors.
Hours per week
1 credit / 3-6 hours
2 credits / 6-12 hours
Compensation
Research for Credit
Paid - General
Unpaid - Volunteer
Number of openings
1
Techniques learned
  • stellar spectroscopy
  • galactic archaeology
  • galactic chemical evolution
  • Python programming
  • model building, fitting, and validating
Project start
Fall 2025
This project will use an Expectations and Structure agreement.
Expectations and Structure

Welcome to the Galactic Archaeology research group at Notre Dame!  You can learn about our research at galacticarchaeology.nd.edu.  We study the origins of galaxies and the elements of the periodic table.  Our primary tool is astronomical spectroscopy.

This agreement serves to establish our expectations of each other.  The terms of the agreement are negotiable before signing.

Your obligations as a researcher:

  1. Foremost, you will treat everyone with dignity and respect.  The PI reserves the right to terminate the research relationship for words, actions, or behavior that indicate disrespect, disdain, or bigotry against anyone, whether that person is in the research group or not.
  2. You will approach the research project with curiosity and optimism.
  3. You will agree to devote on average 3 or more hours per week to this project over the course of the semester.  You may take weeks off (e.g., exams) as needed.
  4. You will make a reasonable effort to participate in group telecons, which may be on a weekday evening to accommodate collaborators in other time zones.
  5. You will keep good notes, and you will make those notes available to the PI.
  6. You will give the PI at least two weeks advance notice if you intend to stop working on the research project.  That allows the PI to make arrangements for the work to be completed by someone else.

My obligations as a PI:

  1. I will treat you with dignity and respect, and I will ensure that other members of the Galactic Archaeology group treat you with dignity and respect.
  2. I will attempt to make the research both educational and enjoyable.
  3. I will be sensitive to your needs to complete classwork and other academic obligations.  I will not be a taskmaster.
  4. I will make myself available for you at least one hour per week.
  5. I will invite you to my biweekly research group meetings.
  6. I will include you on publications to which you contributed substantial work.
  7. I will give you at least two weeks notice if we need to end the project for any reason.  This clause does not apply to cases of egregious misconduct.
Contact Information:
Mentor
Evan Kirby
ekirby@nd.edu
Principal Investigator
Name of project director or principal investigator
Evan Kirby
Email address of project director or principal investigator
ekirby@nd.edu
1 sp. | 0 appl.
Hours per week
1 credit / 3-6 hours (+1)
1 credit / 3-6 hours2 credits / 6-12 hours
Project categories
Physics & Astronomy